17 Hornet Ammo

Based on the .22 Hornet cartridge case, the .17 Hornet is a super-performer and a stellar choice for taking varmints up to 300 yards. It's known for its economical price, low recoil and stellar trajectory. Learn More

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History of 17 Hornet Ammo

Made by P.O. Ackley in the early 1950s, the .17 Hornet is a .17 caliber centerfire rifle cartridge originally known as the “wildcat cartridge” (born from being a non-factory round). Ackley necked down the .22 Hornet and fire-formed the resized cases, which resulted in a small, quiet cartridge with high-velocity capabilities – an ideal round for varmint hunting.

More than 60 years later, the .17 Hornady Hornet is one of the most well known cartridges in this caliber, but it is not built to the exact specifications of the original wildcat. A shorter body with less taper, shorter case length and a longer shoulder of 25 degrees are a few of the dimensional specifications that do not match those of Ackley’s original design.

Those who wish to use the .17 Hornady Hornet in a .17 Ackley Hornet chamber will find the bullet jumps and may lose some accuracy. This can be fixed and can meet the SAAMI (Sports Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) standard by having your barrels set back one turn and rechambered to the new .17 Hornady Hornet.

For decades, .17 Hornet ammo has been known for its accuracy and reliability, as well as being a stellar round for varmint hunting. Even Ackley himself believed the .17 Hornet was one of the most balanced .17 cartridges of his time, and this is probably still true to this day.

Originally known as the "wildcat cartridge," the .17 Hornet is an ideal round for varmint hunting.

Ackley himself believed the .17 Hornet was one of the most balanced .17 cartridges of his time, and this is probably still true to this day.

The .17 Hornady Hornet is one of the most well known cartridges in this caliber, but it is not built to the exact specifications of the original wildcat.

The .17 Hornady Hornet bullet jumps and loses accuracy when used in a .17 Ackley Hornet chamber. This can be fixed by having your barrels set back one turn and rechambered to the new .17 Hornady Hornet.

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